National Wildlife Photo Contest


The 2019 National Wildlife Photo Contest is now open. Please visit photocontest.nwf.org.

The National Wildlife® Photo Contest, which began more than four decades ago, celebrates the power of photography to advance conservation and connect both photographers and viewers with wildlife and the outdoors. The most compelling nature images can help protect wildlife in profound ways.

We are excited to announce the following eight categories for entry in our 2019 contest:

  • Birds: Portraits and behavior
  • Mammals: Portraits and behavior
  • Reptiles & Amphibians: Portraits and behavior
  • Insects & Other Invertebrates: Portraits and behavior
  • Underwater Wonders: Scenic views, portraits and behavior
  • Landscapes & Plants: Scenic views and native plants in wild settings
  • People in Nature: People enjoying the outdoors or connecting with nature and wildlife
  • New Youth category for nature photographers age 13-17

Entry Fee: Your fee helps support the National Wildlife Federation's work to protect wildlife and wild places. No limit to the total number of images.

  • Enter one photo for $15.
  • Enter up to ten photos for $20.
  • Enter up to 15 photos for $25.

Grand Prize: $5,000

First Place: $500 for the winner in each category

Second Place: $250 for the winner in each category

Honorable Mentions: Each will receive a National Wildlife Federation calendar

A selection of the winning photographs and honorable mentions from the 2019 contest will be published in the December-January 2020 issue of National Wildlife magazine. All winning images and honorable mentions will also be published on the National Wildlife Federation’s website, and some will be featured in an exhibit in downtown Washington, DC.

Consider donating: The National Wildlife Federation greatly appreciates when photographers choose to donate some of their images. These donations help support our mission to protect wildlife and habitats. Photographers will always retain ownership and rights to their images. We encourage you to consider donating some of your images to the National Wildlife Federation to help us save the world’s treasured wildlife species and their habitats.


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PO Box 1583, Merrifield VA 22116-1583
1-800-822-9919 (M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST)